Q&A: Artist paints from connections

February 24, 2014

LILLIAN BOWE: Portales News-TribuneSherry Shiner, left, and daughter Piandria Shiner talk about their art, which is being exhibited at the Golden Library as part of Black History Month. Sherry’s art consists of subjects, she finds inspiring and what she connects too.

By Lillian BowePNT staff writerlbowe@pntonline.com

Eastern New Mexico University alumna Sherry Shiner’s art is being featured at the Golden Library as part of the Black History Month Celebrations.

The art at the Golden Library, Shiner said, displays her heritage.

“I love to paint animals, especially from Africa, because I feel connection with them since that is where my ancestors are from,” said Shiner, who grew up in Roswell.

Shiner, who graduated from ENMU in the 1982, was a freelance artist in Chicago, where she lived with her husband while mostly focusing on raising the couple’s six children.

The couple moved back to Portales in 1995 when her husband got a job at ENMU to teach.

What inspires your art?

I am inspired by different aspects of life. I paint what I am connected too and I hope other people feel a connection to what I paint too. I love to paint animals and rustic, nostalgic type.

When did you start painting?

I started in high school, but I have always been interested in art. I painted for school projects and just for fun.

Who is your favorite professional artist?

I am inspired by Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell and a lot of the Dutch masters.

Have you always been involved in art?

Growing up my family were all involved in different areas of art. I saw my older brother painting when he was in high school for an art project and I kept thinking that is what I want to do.

What is your goals as an artist?

I just want to always keep improving and become a better artist. Once I painted a Johannes Vermer painting and it was difficult, but I had so much fun doing it. I don’t want to paint something easy, then I will not get better.